Granit Xhaka is now no longer an Arsenal player after he agreed a move to Bayer Leverkusen and the former club captain took to social media to say his farewells.
- Granit Xhaka says goodbye to Arsenal after seven years at the club.
- The £21.5m fee received for the 30-year-old is the largest fee ever received by a Premier League club for a player in their 30s.
- Xhaka has signed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen until 2028.
Arsenal finally announced Granit Xhaka’s departure on Thursday night with heartfelt tributes from both Mikel Arteta and Edu.
Speaking to Arsenal.com, Arteta said, “We are saying goodbye to a fantastic player and person loved by all of us. It has been an incredible journey together for him and he has given absolutely everything for this club. The influence Granit has had on his team mates on the pitch and colleagues at the club, will tell you just how popular he is.
“We cannot thank Granit enough for his service and contribution to this club over the years. We wish Granit and his family all the best in the next step of their lives.”
Edu added, “Granit has been a big part of our club for a long time. He has given us great commitment and quality over the years, playing such an important role in our progression and success. He leaves us with our huge respect and thanks. We wish Granit all the best for the future.”
Taking to Instagram, Xhaka added his own thoughts on leaving the club.
“Gunners, it’s been some journey – and all that’s left is for me to say thank you,” he wrote.
“I’ve spent seven years at Arsenal. The club has become such an important part of my life – and it’s not easy to leave. But now is the right time for a new adventure.
“There are so many people I need to thank – the managers I played for, all my team-mates and the staff behind the scenes.
“And I especially want to thank all of you. Everyone knows we’ve been through some tough times. But we came through them together – and I’ll never ever forget the feeling I had each time we won the FA Cup or whenever I heard you singing my name. Pure goosebumps!
“I will always carry Arsenal in my heart. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner.
“Thank you ❤️”
Granit Xhaka’s Bayer Leverkusen deal
Granit Xhaka has signed a five-year deal with Bayer Leverkusen that will tie him to the club until 2028 when he will be just a couple of months away from turning 36.
“In Granit we have been able to bring in an absolute top player,” Simon Rolfes, Bayer Leverkusen’s sporting managing director said about the transfer.
“His ability on the pitch is well known. But, above all, there are few players who are able to so convincingly lead a team like he does thanks to his outstanding mentality and personality.”
Xhaka himself added, “I know the league inside out and I watched it when I was in London. Bayer 04 is a club with an impressive history and ambitious targets.
“Above all, I see it as a club with a great future. Discussions with the management have been incredibly motivating. Everybody here is ambitious and wants to achieve something – I’m very much looking forward to the next few years.”